Department of Defense

1854

A few months before his death in 1854, Kamehameha III completely reorganized the military system of the Islands. This was made law by “An Act, to Establish a Militia for the Hawaiian Islands.” It was the purpose of this act to combine all the military forces of the kingdom into one serviceable unit, so that it might function quickly and efficiently in time of need. It was the first occasion on which a definite plan had been made for the control of Hawaii’s military forces.

According to this plan, the Militia was divided into three groups. The first group consisted of young men from 18 to 22 years of age. From it were enlisted the regular troops, that is, the King’s Guard and the Artillery Detachment. The second group was composed of men from 22 to 30 years of age who had already served in the regular forces. This constituted the organized reserve, which was to be called to active service when needed. The men in this class were compelled to form themselves into companies and drill regularly. The third group consisted of men from 30 to 40 years of age who had served in the second class. They were to be called to active duty only in case of a national emergency. All three groups were to be armed and paid by the government.

When this act went into effect the two volunteer companies that had been formed in 1852 became inactive as they felt that the new act guaranteed a well-organized military force for the kingdom. Unfortunately, Kamehameha III died several months after the passage of this act and the new
king never actively put it into effect. In a few years the army was in worse shape than before. The Artillery Detachment was placed on inactive status and the King’s Guard reduced to about fifty men.

– History of the Hawaii National Guard pp. 15

1872

Prince Lunalilo announced that he was the highest chief and should become king. David Kalakaua denied his claims, but was unable to prevent the legislature from electing Lunailo king in 1873. It is not known to what extent Kalakaua was implicated in the matter, but Lunalilo became suspicious of the loyalty and intentions of the Household Troops.” In the early part of September, 1873, a riot occurred at the Barracks and the soldiers got out of hand. Fearing for his own safety, Lunalilo disbanded the entire regular force, with the exception of the Band, on September 12, 1873, and made no attempt to organize a new guard. Several days later he also disbanded the Honolulu Rifles and the Leleiohoku Guard.

– History of the Hawaii National Guard pp. 17

1874

This incident showed King Kalakaua the necessity of having a strong and loyal military force at his command and he immediately began the reorganization of the troops that had been disbanded the year before by LuInalilo. He instructed Attorney General Hartwell to organize a palace guard of fifty men to be known as the King’s Guard. This was to be the regular force of the kingdom and was to be directly responsible to the king. It was organized in 1874 and continued its existence until disbanded in 1893, but
contemporaneous accounts are unanimous in declaring that it was always poorly drilled, poorly equipped and generally unreliable.

– History of the Hawaii National Guard pp. 17

1884

Something more has to be done beyond the appropriation of public funds to provide for the King’s Guard •… The military force, as it now stands, is composed of one regularly paid company, the King’s Guard, consisting of 58 men, rank and file, and four volunteer companies exhibited on paper.

– History of the Hawaii National Guard pp. 19

1889

Suddenly on the morning of July 20, 1889, Wilcox with about one hundred and fifty followers took
possession of the Government Building and the Palace Grounds. The King’s Guard was aware of the proposed attack and remained neutral in the Barracks. Lt. Robert Parker, in command of the King’s Guard, rounded up a band of men loyal to the king and they prevented the revolutionists from entering the Palace.

– History of the Hawaii National Guard pp. 21

1893

The queen’s forces, consisting of some fifty Household Troops and the Police, were aware of the situation but took no action.

– History of the Hawaii National Guard pp. 26

At the same time Captain Sam Nowlein, commander of the Queen’s troops at the Barracks, reported to President Dole and officially surrendered. He asked for orders and was instructed to keep his men and arms in the Barracks that evening and not to post a guard as usual. . .

The following day, the 18th, Colonel Soper informed the volunteers that they were to remain on active duty as long as they were needed and that they would be paid by the government for every day’s duty, to recompense them for time lost from their business. That evening the Queen’s troops were paid off and disbanded,

– History of the Hawaii National Guard pp. 29

When the queen had abdicated her throne she had been allowed to keep at the expense of the government a small guard from the former Household Troops, consisting of Captain Nowlein, one sergeant, three corporals and twelve privates. Due to her intrigue with the British, the government I decided to disband this guard. Consequently, on February 27th, the Queen’s Guard was drawn up, paid off and dismissed, and its equipment handed over to Colonel Soper.

– History of the Hawaii National Guard pp. 35

Hawaii National Guard turns 100

By Gaye S. Sakamoto

The Hawaii National Guard marked its 100th anniversary, Jan. 27.

Officially recognized by the Provisional Government of Hawaii in 1893, the Hawaii National Guard’s roots date back to the mid-1800s, when Honolulu was a growing port of call for whalers and trading ships worldwide.

Because local law authorities had trouble controlling fights between sailors, a volunteer company of business and community leaders formed the First Hawaiian Guard to control riots that were damaging businesses.

In 1857, former members of the First Hawaiian Guard, with the King’s concurrence, founded a volunteer company called the Honolulu Rifles. In contrast to the King’s Royal Guard, whose mission was to guard the King and palace and performed ceremonial duties, the Honolulu Rifles protected the property of the crown and citizens until disbandment in 1873.

Revived in 1884, the Honolulu Rifles grew from 52 to 272 increasingly reform minded members by 1887.

In November 1887, a group of prominent Caucasian businessmen, known as the Hawaiian League, many of them Honolulu Rifles members, forced King Kalakaua to accept the “Bayonet Constitution,” reducing the king to a ceremonial leader with very little power Meanwhile, the Honolulu Rifles, now the largest military force in Hawaii, patrolled the streets to prevent opposition from citizens.

Three years later, the Honolulu Rifles were again disbanded, leaving the Royal Guard as the sole military force in Hawaii. The Rifles maintained an informal organization, however, which was rapidly pulled together for the overthrow of the monarchy in 1893.

OnJan.17, 1893, Sanford B. Dole and the Committee of Public Safety, including many former Honolulu Rifles members opposed to Queen Lili’uolcalani’s attempt to establish a new constitution (restoring the monarch’s power) signed a proclamation abolishing the Hawaiian Monarchy and establishing a provisional government

A volunteer military force, including former Honolulu Rifles officers commanded by Col. John H. Soper, guarded government buildings and patrolled streets to enforce the proclamation.

Although the Royal Guard, which remained loyal to the Queen. was armed, and the palace fortified, the monarchy was overthrown with only one shot fired. Concerned for the safety of her people and alarmed by the presence of U.S. troops in Honolulu (sent to protect American lives and propeny), the Queen, under protest, yielded power to the U.S. government and appealed for an investigation. The issue resulted in a stalemate in the United States, however, and no action was taken to restore the Monarchy.

On Jan. 18 the Royal Guard was disbanded, and ten days after the overthrow, the National Guard of Hawaii was officially recognized by the Provisional Government. Col. Soper was made commander of the First Battalion of the First Regiment, which consisted of one company of regular troops and three companies of volunteer troops, with up to 101 men each.

The drill shed on the Iolani Palace grounds was reconditioned for use by the volunteers, who drilled once a week. The regulars, who occupied the Iolani Barracks, drilled daily.

During the Provisional Government’s first days, all companies were on active duty to help keep order in the town. When the United States assumed protection of the islands, Feb. 1, the three volunteer companies were relieved from active duty, subject to recall at anytime.

On April 1, U.S. troops withdrew their protection from the Hawaiian islands, and the National Guard of Hawaii took over that responsibility.

Two days after the Repulic of Hawaii was proclaimed, July 4, 1894, Col. Soper became the first adjutant general.

When the U.S. House of Representatives passed the resolution to annex the Republic of Hawaii, June 15, 1898, the Hawaii Guardsmen were required to swear allegiance to the United States. The Guard’s two regular companies and six volunteer companies were a valuable military asset

In its 100 years of existence, the Hawaii National Guard has been called on countless times to provide relief in times of civil disturbance, as in the early days of riot control, or during natural disasters, such as floods and hurricanes, and has faithfully answered the call of the United States during times of war.

Although its part in the overthrow of the Hawaiian Monarchy casts a shadow over its early years, the Hawaii National Guard can be proud of its history since then and what it has contributed to our state and country today.

– 1993 January – February Pūpūkahi pp. 3